Computer mechanism



Apvii 2%, 1943. w. H. NEWELL COMPUTER MECHANISM Filed Sept. 22, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet l v April 20, 1943. w. H. NEWELL.

COMPUTER MECHANISM Filed Sept. 22, 1939 2- Sheets-Sheet 2 -T AG m 1 AllU m T P H. hi: 4 mi w i k i H i Q mnN m ANN lung $mN am ow NN amw .//Nmfl fiM LL J H* m 0%. m W Q D g 2 7 5% mi i T T: Ll ii i N g WE ATTORNEKtion we have Patented Apr. 20, 1943 2,317,293 COMPUTER MEClIANISliIWilliam H. Newell, New York, N. Y., assignor to Ford Instrument Company,Inc., Long Island a 1 City, N. Y., a corporatioh of New YorkContinuation of application Serial No. 45,052,

October 15, 1935. This application September .22, 1939, Serial No.296,050

. v 8 Claims. This application is a continuation of my applicationSerial No. 45,052.

The invention herein disclosed relates to a hydraulically operatedcomputer capable of performing multiplication and division.

The computer of the invention operates by balancing the moments. offorces representing the values of the quantities to be multiplied ordivided. The factors to be multiplied or divided are applied as ahydraulic pressure or as the length of a lever through which the forceof the hydraulic pressure acts. The moment of the force thus produced isbalanced by the moment of another force generated as a hydraulicpressure. This generated force or pressure represents the product orquotient, depending upon whether the impressed force or the generatedforce acts upon the adjustable or constant length lever. For example, aknown force, F, representing one of the quantities of a problem indivision, is impressed upon a lever of constant length L. The moment ofthis force is balanced by a generated force F acting upon a lever ofadjustable length M, which lengthrepresents the other factor oftheproblem. From this rela- Likewise in multiplication, a known force F,representingone of the factors in the problem is impressed upon anadjustable lever of length M, M representing the other factor in theproblem. The moment F-M, is balanced by a generated force F actingthrough a lever of constant length L. This relation may be expressed asIn both instances L is a constant, therefore, in the first. example theforce F represents the quotient F/M, and in the second example the forceF represents the product F-M,

Computers for carrying out multiplication and division in this way areillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of a computer suitablefor performing division; and V Fig. 2 is a somewhat diagrammaticillustration of a computer suitable for performing multiplication.

In the computers illustrated in the drawings, the forces are applied toa floating beam or lever through. hydraulically operated plungers. Thebeam acts, under the influence of the forces impressed thereon, about afulcrum or pivot that is displaceable along the length of the beam. Thetorque, that is, the moment of the applied forces tending to producerotation, impressed upon the beam is balanced by the moment of agenerated force in one case, and by the moment of a generated couple inthe other case.

The ends of the beam I of the computer for performing division,illustrated in Figure 1, have recesses la and If; in which are pivotallysecured the ends of rods 2 and 3 extending from plungers 4 and 5,respectively, that are slidably mounted in a block 6. The beam I hasgra'duations thereon as indicated. The plunger 4 is circular in crosssection, and is mounted in a circular plunger compartment 1 formed inthe block 6. The rod 2 extends through an opening in the block 6 and isreceived in. an axial recess 4a in the plunger 4 and is secured to theplunger by a pin 4b. The chamber of the plunger compart ment 1, formedbetween the end of the plunger 4 adjacent the beam and the correspondingend of the compartment, is open to the atmosphere. The chamber formed atthe other end of the plunger and the corresponding end of the plungercompartment 1 constitutes a pressure chamber la, and a port 6acommunicates with this chamber.

'cates with the chamber 80.

The plunger 5 is mounted in a plunger compartment 8 which is also formedin the block 6. Like the plunger 4, plunger 5 has an axial recess 5ainto which the rod 3 extends and the rod 3 is secured to the plunger bya pin. The plunger 5 has a shoulder 5b formed thereon by reducing thediameter of the plunger. This shoulder forms one end of a chamber 8a inthe plunger compartment 8. A port 6a communi- I'he shoulder 5b whichconstitutes a pressure surface of the plunger 5 is formed so thatpressure in the chamber 8a exerts a downward force on the plunger 5 asseen in Figure 1, that is, the force resulting on the plunger 5 from ahydraulic liquid under pressure in the chamber 8a will be opposite indirection to the force acting on the plunger I due to a hydraul cpressure in the chamber to.

The ports 6a and Saf are connected by a passage in the block 6 and theareas of the pressure surface 5b of the plunger 5 and the pressuresurface of the plunger 4 are equal. Consequently, any pressure in thehydraulic medium filling the connecting passage and the chambers Ia and8a will impress a couple upon the beam I.

A roller 9 is rotatably secured in a bracket ID from which an externallythreaded rod II extends. The roller 9 is shown between a solidstationary surface I2 and the beam I to indicate that the roller whichforms a fulcrum for the beam cannot be displaced laterally of the beam.The threaded rod I I extends through an internally threaded bushing I3mounted between brackets I4 and I5 and having a spur gear I6 formedintegrally therewith. It will be apparent that rotation of the gear I6will effect movement of the roller 9 longitudinally of the beam and thuschange the fulcrum point.

Any couple impressed upon the beam I by pressure exerted on the plunger4 and the pressure surface 5b of the plunger 5 will be balanced by themoment of a force acting upon the lower surface 50 of the plunger 5 andabout the fulcrum roller 9. The balancing force acting upon this surface50 of the plunger 5 is generated as a result of the couple impressed andis indicated in a manner to be explained later. The plunger 5 alsoconstitutes a valve for controlling the volume of the balancing liquidto maintain the beam I parallel to the surface I2. For this purpose theplunger 5 is reduced in cross-section at Sat and 5e to form a pistonvalve. In the position indicated, in which the beamI is parallel to thesurface I2, the valve section of the plunger 5 laps a port SD. A port 6ccommunicates with the annular chamber formed by the reduced section 5d,and another port 6a communicates with the annular chamber formed by thereduced section 5e. A right angular passage 50' formed in the valvesection of the plunger places the port 6b in communication with achamber 8b formed between the lower surface 50 of the plunger 5 and theend of the compartment 8. The port 60 constitutes a pressure port towhich a hydraulic medium such as oil is constantly supplied from a pumpP and a constant pressure valve V. The port Ed is an exhaust port. Sincethe port 6b is in constant communication with the chamber 8b, thepressure in this port is the same as the pressure in the chamber 8?),and it is, consequently, a measure of the force exerted on the end ofthe plunger and may be indicated by the gauge Pb. The pressure from thepump P is also used to supply the pressure for the chambers Ia and 8a ata desired pressure RP by means of the regulating valve Va, whichpressure is indicated by the pressure gauge Pa.

From the above description of the construction of the computerillustrated in Figure 1, it will be apparent that if oil under pressureRP as indicated by the gauge Pa is supplied to the chambers Ia and 8awhich are connected together, as heretofore stated, there will be acouple impressed upon the beam acting about the fulcrum roller 9. Thiscouple will cause th plunger 5 to exert a downward pressure on the fluidin the chamber 8b until a pressure is generated therein sufficient tobalance the couple impressed upon the beam I by virtue of the oil underpressure in the chambers la and 8a. While this couple is being balanced,the plunger 5 is maintained in the position illustrated in Figure 1,that is, with the beam l parallel to the surface I2. If for any reason,such as leakage, the plunger 5 moves up from the position shown so thatthe port 612 is connected to the exhaust port 6d, oil will fiow from thechamber 8b until a ML again parallel with the surface l2. If the plungermoves down, oil under pressure will be admitted through the port 60 tothe port 6b and through the passage 50 to the chamber 8b until theplunger 5 rises to its normal position with the beam I parallel to thesurface I2.

As a consequence of thus balancing the couple by the moment of the forceexerted on the surface 50 of the plunger 5 by the pressure generated inthe chamber 8b, we' have the relation that the couple, which may brepresented by F-L, F representing the force of the couple-and L thelever arm through which the force acts, is balanced by a torque which.may be represented by F'-M in which F represents the force acting on thepressure surface 5c of the plunger 5 and M represents the length of thelever arm through which this force acts, that is, the distance betweenthe point of application of the force as represented by the end of therod 3 and the fulcrum roller 9. This relation may be expressed as thefollowing equation:

F-L=FM and, therefore,

F -L 4" 1 M in which L is a constant. The pressure in the port 6b,therefore, represents the quotient F/M, which is indicated by the gaugePb.

When the computer is used for general application, the force appliedthrough thehydraulic medium in the chambers Ia and 8a, that is, theforce represented by F, will correspond t one of the factors of theproblem and the position of the fulcrum, determining the length M of thelever, will be made to correspond to the other factor in the problem.The force of the couple may be controlled by the regulating valve Va andbe indicated by the pressure gauge Pa. The result of the division may berepresented on the pressure gauge Pb connected to the port 5b.

The dividing apparatus just described may also be used to obtain apressure proportional to the reciprocalofsome factor. For example, 011under a constant pressure may be admitted to the charm bers Ia and 8athrough the valve Va, and the roller 9 moved along the beam inaccordance with some factor. The result will then be a pressure in theport 6b which is proportional to the reciprocal of the factorrepresented by the position of the roller 9, that is, F and L are bothconstant, therefore This pressure representing the reciprocal of afactor may be applied to a computer such as that shown in Figure 2, in amanner and for a purpose hereinafter explained, in which it becomes afactor in a problem of multiplication but actually represents a divisionof this factor into another.

In the computer illustrated in Figure2 there is provided a floating beamI1 and a movable fulcrum-roller I8 between a stationary surface I8 andthe beam H, the roller forming a fulcrum for the beam. The position ofthe fulcrum-roller I8 is controlled in the same manner as fulcrumroller9. For this purpose the bracket Illa corresponds to the bracket ID, thethreaded rod Ila to rod II, the threaded bushing I311. to the bushingI3, the brackets Ma and I5a to the brackets l4 and I5, and the spur gearI6a to the spur gear I6. At the center of the beam, one end of ancedcondition exists, that is, the beam I is a rod 20 is plvotally securedto the beam. The

rod extends into and is secured in an axial recess 2|a in a plunger 2|that is slidably mounted in a plunger compartment 22 formed in a block23.

The plunger 2| is similar in all respects to the plunger 4 and there isformed by'the lower end of the plunger and the adjacent end of thecompartment 22 a pressure chamber 22a with which a port 23a"communicates.

The moment of a force F impressed upon the beam I! through the plunger2| and acting through an arm of length M is balanced by a couplegenerated by plungers 24 and 25 and acting through an arm of fixedlength L. The

plunger 25 is secured to one end of the beam H by a rod 26. One end ofthe rod 26 is pivotally secured to the beam by a pivot 21 and the otherend of the rod is secured in the plunger 25 by a pin 28. This plungerhas three pressure surfaces 25a, 25b and 250. faces is formed byreducing the diameter of the plunger. The pressure surface 25a acts in achamber 29a, the pressure surface 25b acts in the chamber 29b, and thepressure surface 250 acts in the chamber 290. It-will be noted that theforces acting on the pressure surfaces 25a and 25b are opposite to theforce acting upon the pressure surface 250. The combined areas of thepressure surfaces 25a and 25b is equal to twice the area of the pressuresurface 250, that is, the three surfaces may be of equal area.Intermediate the pressure surfaces 25b and 250 the plunger 25 forms avalve and for this purpose it is reduced in diameter at 25d, therebyforming an annular chamber. A port 23a communicates with the chamber29a, a port 23b communicates with the chamber 29b, a port 230communicates with the chamber 290 and in addition-there are providedports 23d and 23e. The valve section of the plunger 25 controlscommunication between the port 23c and the ports 23d and 230, the formerbeing an exhaust port and the latter being a pressure port which issupplied with oil from a pump P and maintained at a constant pressure bya valveV.

The plunger 24 is quite similar to the plunger 25. It is connected tothe beam I! by a rod 30 one end of which is secured to the beam H by apivot 3| and the other end of which is secured in the plunger by a pin32. This plunger, like the plunger 25, has three pressure surfaces 24a,24b and 240 each formed by reducing the diameter of the plunger. It willbe noticed that the plunger 24 is in effect reversed with respect to theplunger 25 and the pressure surface 240 is equal to half the combinedareas of the pressure surfaces 24a and 24b. The chambers of which thesepressure surfaces form end walls communicate with ports 23a, 23b and230' respectively. The ports 23a23a', 23b-23b and 230-230 are connectedby passages so that the pressures on the complementary pressure surfaces24a25a, 2412-251), 24c25c will be the same, but due to the reversal ofthe pressure surfaces upon which these pressures will act, the resultingforces on the plungers 24 and 25 will be in opposite directions. It isalso to be noted that the port 23c Each of these pressure surand theport 23b are connected. There is normally maintained on the surfaces 24aand 25a a pressure RP" equal to one-half the pressure on the surfaces240 and 250, by means of the regulating valve Vc which pressure isindicated by the pressure gauge Pc.

Because the value M may be plus or minus, the result F may also be plusor minus. To permit indications of these plus and minus values of F by apositive pressure on the gauge Pb some arbitrary pressure may be takenas representing zero value of F, then pressures above that valuerepresent positive values of F and pressures lower than the arbitraryvalue represent negative values of F. It will be seen that if M is setat its zero value there will be no moment due to the force F, thereforethe value P will be zero and the pressure Pb will assume its arbitraryvalue in order to balance the beam I! at its normal position. With thepressure surfaces equal and the constant pressure applied to thesurfaces 240 and 250 and one-half the constant pressure applied \to thesurfaces 24a and 25a it will be seen that one-half the constant pressurewill be generated on the surfaces 24b and 25b to balance the system.Therefore the arbitrary pressure represent ing zero value of F will beone-half the constant pressure.

From the construction of the computer shown in Figure 2, it will be seenthat when a force is applied to the beam I I through the plunger 2|, itwill cause the plunger 25 to increase the pressure in the oil in thechamber 29b, if the fulcrumroller H! is on the positive side of the beamas indicated. The force F is applied to the plunger 2| by the pressureof the oil in the chamber 22a. This pressure RP is controlled by theregulating ILvalve Va and is indicated by the pressure gauge If due toleakage or other causes an upward movement of the plunger 25 takesplace, the port 230 and the port 23c will be put into communication,thus permitting oil under pressure to flow from the port 230, throughthe ports He and 23b to the chamber 29b. The oil will. thus flow untilthe volume of oil in the chamber 29b is sufficient to move the plunger25 downwardly and close communication between the ports 23c and 23e atwhich time the beam I! is returned to its normal position parallel tothe surface I 9. Likewise if the fulcrum-roller I8 is on the oppositeside of the plunger 2| so that it requires an upward force on theplunger 25 to balance the moment of the force exerted by the plunger 2|the erated in the chamber the net force acting on the plungers 24 and25balance the force acting on the plunger 2|. If due to leakage theplunger 25 moves downwardly so that the port 23c is placed intocommunication pressure genstood that the plunger 24 applies a forcecoinci- I represented by the force F'-L. From this relation we haveF-M=F'-L, and, therefore,

in which L is constant and F represents the pressure in the port 23bwhich is indicated on the pressure gauge Pb. The variation from thearbitrary zero value is F or the product FM.

The pressure surfaces 24a and 25a may be used of this pressureproportional to 29b will be reduced until I Pb and generated by thesurfaces 24b and 25b to balance the beam I! will vary inversely with thepressure RP". If the forceacting on the surfaces 24a and 25a due to thepressure RP" indicated by the gauge P is designated as F" and the forcedue to the constant pressure on the surfaces 24c and 250 is designatedas Fit the equation for the balanced system will be that is.'an increasein pressure applied to the surfaces 24a and a will result in acorresponding subtraction from the product F-M. Likewise it will be seenthat a decrease in the pressure applied will result in an addition tothe product. If this feature is not desired, the pressure surfaces 24aand 25a. may be omitted, then the pressure surface 25b of the plunger 25is made twice the area of the pressure surface 250, and the pressuresurface 24b of the plunger is made twice the area of the pressuresurface 240. From the above description of Figure 2, it will be apparentthat quantities may be multiplied by the use of this computer; forexample, the weight and price of a quantity may be multiplied togetherto give the total price which may be modified to include a discount ortax. v

It will be apparent that-twoor more computers of similar or differenttypes may be used con jointly by applying the pressure representing theoutput of one computer as the input pressure of another computer. Theoutput pressure of the final unit will represent the combinedcomputation of all the units.

It is to be noted that both of these computers are capable of.continuous performance. That is, they may solve problems in which thefactors are continually changing, giving the results continuously.

It will be obvious that various changes may be plungers operating upon alever arm having a fixed length and constituting a co'uple,-and means toproduce a second couple .in opposition to the first including anadjustable fulcrum for the lever arm and a hydraulic medium acted uponby one of the plungers and opposing the movement thereof in thedirection induced by the moment of the first couple.

' to apply a predetermined force to the arm co- 2. A computing mechanismcomprlsinga lever arm, means for causing two forces to act upon the armas a couple, two spaced reaction means opposing the moment of the coupleand generating reaction forces constituting a balancing couple, andmeans to vary the distance between the forces of one of the couples.

3. A computing mechanism comprising a lever arm, means for causing twoforces to act upon the arm as a couple, two spaced reaction meansopposing the moment of the couple and generating reaction forcesconstituting a balancing couple, means to vary the distance between theforces of one of the couples, and means to measure the reaction force ofthe second couple.

4. A computing mechanism comprising a lever arm, means for causing twoforces to act upon the arm as a couple, a confined hydraulic medium,reaction means including a fulcrum member and a pressure member for thehydraulic medium opposing the moment of the couple and generatthe arm asa couple, a confined hydraulic medium, reaction means including afulcrum member and a pressure member for the hydraulic medium opposingthe moment of the couple and generating reaction forces constituting abalancing couple, means to adjust the distance between ,the forces ofone of the couples, and means to measure the pressure of the hydraulicmedium.

6. A computing mechanism comprising a lever arm, means for causing twoforces to act upon the arm as a couple, a confined hydraulic medium,reaction means including an adjustable fulcrum and a pressure member forthe hydraulic medium opposing the moment of the couple and generatingreaction forces constituting a balancing couple, and means to measurethe pressure of the hydraulic medium.

'7. A computing mechanism comprising a lever I arm, an adjustablefulcrum for the arm, means active with the fulcrum as a couple toproduce a moment, two spaced reaction means opposing the moment of thecouple and generating reaction forces constituting a balancing couple,means to measure the reaction force of the second couple, and means forapplying two equal predetermined forces to the arm at a fixed dis-'tance apart as a couple to modify the moment WILLIAM H. NEWEILHJ

